tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77761957022646883852018-12-05T06:08:42.153-05:00Northeast POW/MIA NetworkWelcome to the NH Chapter of the Northeast POW/MIA Network. Our goal is simple; heighten public awareness to the plight of American Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-91734286949593247072018-11-06T09:56:00.000-05:002018-11-06T09:56:13.512-05:00Open Letter to Our Veterans<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">Since we became an independent country many years have come and gone, however, there is one constant that remains from the 1700’s th<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">rough today. Our country has had many brave men and women volunteer to defend our country.</span></div><div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">There was a movie produced about World War II, whose name I cannot recall, but at the end there is a line which rings true (even though the words are not an exact quote), “Where do we get these brave men and women to always step forward when the need arises?” These men and women come from all over our country and too many times are taken for granted. Men and women, who during times of war and peace, are on-call 24 hours a day 7 days a week and spend countless holidays, birthdays and special events away from their family and friends.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">The pay is not great, but they continue to volunteer and many make it a career. They are mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends. We may not always agree in the wars and battles that we fight, but this should not deter us from the support we give to these men and women in uniform. It is through the sacrifice that they and the numerous individuals before them have made, which provides us with the freedoms we have to disagree and speak our objections.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">While words cannot pay what we owe you and your families, we ‘thank you’ for your sacrifice. To the families who have lost loved ones, we offer our most heartfelt condolences. Many of us have never endured the pain you must feel, but our hearts hurt for your loss and wish we could help ease your pain. Let us never forget the people who did not make it home.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">Remember those still serving in our prayers and never take for granted the sacrifices they make. In closing, one more time I would like to say…… THANK YOU!!!</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 1em;">Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 1em;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRwl2EGRABA/W-GrYg7T1cI/AAAAAAAABXA/SMeN1Fp_M1co5NwlA5KJb23K6AXHX5OtACLcBGAs/s1600/militarylogos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="500" height="64" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRwl2EGRABA/W-GrYg7T1cI/AAAAAAAABXA/SMeN1Fp_M1co5NwlA5KJb23K6AXHX5OtACLcBGAs/s320/militarylogos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 1em;"><br /></div></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-72733959128809168592018-09-06T13:23:00.000-04:002018-09-06T13:23:22.164-04:00Missing Man Table and Flag Dedication Ceremony<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please RSVP: <a href="mailto:kristin.pressly@va.gov">kristin.pressly@va.gov</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3OlhdsPtpyY/W5Fh7136nFI/AAAAAAAABV4/QL0W90g9c-s0iZ9TV7A4rzYge_dKMTBngCLcBGAs/s1600/POW%2Bdedication%2Bflyer%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3OlhdsPtpyY/W5Fh7136nFI/AAAAAAAABV4/QL0W90g9c-s0iZ9TV7A4rzYge_dKMTBngCLcBGAs/s640/POW%2Bdedication%2Bflyer%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-8484899560485131272018-08-31T11:49:00.003-04:002018-08-31T11:50:10.340-04:00Honor and Remember Flag Presentation to Deborah Crosby<div style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: &quot;bookman old style&quot;, &quot;new york&quot;, times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700;">"As an American asked to serve, I was prepared to fight,&nbsp;</span></div><div class="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yahoo_quoted" id="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yahoo_quoted_6117313607" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: &quot;bookman old style&quot;, &quot;new york&quot;, times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><div style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div id="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279"><div class="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279yqt8987219978" id="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279yqtfd97684"><div style="font-family: &quot;bookman old style&quot;, &quot;new york&quot;, times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><div class="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279ydp41344d4ayahoo_quoted" id="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279ydp41344d4ayahoo_quoted_6553677896"><div style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div id="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279ydp41344d4ayiv8310083470"><div class="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279ydp41344d4ayiv8310083470yqt4647672111" id="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279ydp41344d4ayiv8310083470yqtfd73174"><div style="font-family: &quot;bookman old style&quot;, &quot;new york&quot;, times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><div class="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279ydp41344d4ayiv8310083470ydp2cb20f8eyahoo_quoted" id="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279ydp41344d4ayiv8310083470ydp2cb20f8eyahoo_quoted_6240173878"><div style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div id="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279ydp41344d4ayiv8310083470ydp2cb20f8eyiv6078982432"><div style="font-family: &quot;bookman old style&quot;, &quot;new york&quot;, times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><div style="font-family: &quot;old times&quot;, serif;"><div class="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279ydp41344d4ayiv8310083470ydp2cb20f8eyiv6078982432ydp43dd09a9yiv0928820918ydp139fff74yiv1665123413m_1981469316986760917ydpf552da8byiv0205434749ydpae4960ffyiv4648210969ydpe7d755b2yahoo_quoted" id="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279ydp41344d4ayiv8310083470ydp2cb20f8eyiv6078982432ydp43dd09a9yiv0928820918ydp139fff74yiv1665123413m_1981469316986760917ydpf552da8byiv0205434749ydpae4960ffyiv4648210969ydpe7d755b2yahoo_quoted_9087573565" style="font-family: serif;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div id="yiv3870483182ydpc9517ed1yiv3975048279ydp41344d4ayiv8310083470ydp2cb20f8eyiv6078982432ydp43dd09a9yiv0928820918ydp139fff74yiv1665123413m_1981469316986760917ydpf552da8byiv0205434749ydpae4960ffyiv4648210969ydpe7d755b2yiv5393192493"><div style="font-family: serif; font-size: 16px;"><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">to be wounded,to be captured and even prepared to die,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: 700;">but I was not prepared to be abandoned."</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Former POW Eugene "Red" McDaniel - 1967-1973</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;">Please join the Northeast POW/MIA Network and New Hampshire Honor and Remember on Thursday, September 20, 2018&nbsp;~ @ 6:30pm PM. at Hesky Park, Meredith, New Hampshire for the presentation of the Honor and Remember Flag to Deborah Crosby, daughter of Lt.Cmdr. Frederick P. Crosby.&nbsp;</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;">Deborah Crosby, whose father Lt. Cmdr. Frederick P. Crosby, shot down as a Navy pilot in the Vietnam War, it was June 1965. Deborah Crosby, was only six when she was sent home from the first grade to learn her father was presumed dead, though his body had not been found. Lt. Cmdr. Frederick P. Crosby’s remains were returned to his family last year.​</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;">The weekly vigil will follow the flag presentation at 7:00 pm. All are invited to join us.&nbsp;</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;">Over the years people from the area, state and country have gathered in support of those POW's who have returned, their family, as well as those who did not and those MIA's and the abundance of evidence that shows were left behind. The theme, "When one American life is not worth the effort, we as Americans have lost" is still a fact and today with American soldiers, men and women, serving in harm's way, is even more important. We as American must stay vigilant on their behalf in support of their families.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;">Faith, Trust, Truth, Responsibility and Accountability…Facts outweigh Opinions..The Vigil Continues.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px;">Bob Jones - 677-7045<br />Meredith<br /><a href="http://www.northeastpowmianetwork.org/" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="background-color: transparent; color: #256bc9;" target="_blank">Northeast POW/MIA Network</a>​</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUraKOvsUyc/W4ljkjluu8I/AAAAAAAABVI/NPgOgfXgMk4wI2LTZoarQoRSK7LRqGzewCLcBGAs/s1600/deborah-crosby-720x960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUraKOvsUyc/W4ljkjluu8I/AAAAAAAABVI/NPgOgfXgMk4wI2LTZoarQoRSK7LRqGzewCLcBGAs/s320/deborah-crosby-720x960.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-7072825136535895992018-06-21T11:36:00.003-04:002018-06-21T11:42:35.251-04:00Passing of Billy Hendon.<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fun0e" data-offset-key="fusrn-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fusrn-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="fusrn-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Sadly last night I learned that Billy Hendon passed. This was a great and amazing man who fought on behalf of the POW/MIA. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Congress B. Hendon spent time with us here in NH during a Network Vigil and Freedom Ride..I remember when the President Don and I were taking him back to the Airport in Manchester and talking about everything we could think of, one question asked was, “ with all the info on both sides, whom are we to believe”? He stated, “ Nobody, study the evidence and find Out yourself “! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bob </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sharing this from John Molloy.... </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He spent nearly 4 decades working intensively to bring American POWs home from Vietnam. He was the co author with Elizabeth Stewart of New York Times Best Seller: <i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Enormous-Crime-Definitive-Abandoned-Southeast/dp/0312385382/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1529595686&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=an+enormous+crime" target="_blank">An Enormous Crime The Definitive Account of American POWs Abandoned in Southeast Asia</a>.</b></i> Billy also produced the following u tube video and his dedicated efforts caused him severe financial distress. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sacred Ground for America in Hanoi. </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luz1Hy2NFUQ" style="font-family: inherit;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luz1Hy2NFUQ</a> <span data-offset-key="7871h-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">We owe it to Billy to make every effort to get the sealed/classified records of the returned POWs opened so that we can obtain information on those who were abandoned and on the collaborators, like John McCain, who basks in the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">reputation of a hero/patriot when he is slime. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please remember Billy in your prayers. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">May Our Lord welcome Billy to his eternal rest where he shall be able to meet those whom he tried his utmost to rescue. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">John Molloy, OSJ </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chairman </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">National Vietnam &amp; Gulf War Veterans Coalition</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fun0e" data-offset-key="79qa5-0-0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/luz1Hy2NFUQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/luz1Hy2NFUQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="79qa5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-57039109737881082332018-06-05T13:47:00.000-04:002018-06-05T13:47:51.736-04:00Freedom Ride ~ 30th Anniversary of the weekly vigil and 25th Anniversary of the Freedom Ride<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, &quot;New Times&quot;, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">"As an American asked to serve, I was prepared to fight,&nbsp;</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, &quot;New Times&quot;, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">to be wounded,to be captured and even prepared to die,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: 700;">but I was not prepared to be abandoned."</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, &quot;New Times&quot;, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">(Former POW Eugene "Red" McDaniel - Source:&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: 700;">VVnW POW/MIA Page)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, &quot;New Times&quot;, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;">Join us for the NORTHEAST POW/MIA NETWORK VIGIL AND FREEDOM RIDE on JUNE 14, 2018&nbsp;~ THURSDAY @ 7:00 PM. the&nbsp;"Ride to the Rock"&nbsp;HESKY PARK MEREDITH</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, &quot;New Times&quot;, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;">Numbers and Voices are important! This issue belongs to EVERYONE!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, &quot;New Times&quot;, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;">This is the&nbsp;25th&nbsp;Anniversary of the Freedom Ride and the&nbsp;30th Anniversary of the weekly&nbsp;Vigil.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, &quot;New Times&quot;, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;">Guest Speaker:&nbsp;Deborah Crosby, whose father Lt. Cmdr. Frederick P. Crosby, shot down as a Navy pilot in the Vietnam War, it was June 1965. Deborah Crosby, was only six when she was sent home from the first grade to learn her father was presumed dead, though his body had not been found. Lt. Cmdr. Frederick P. Crosby’s remains were returned to his family last year.​</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, &quot;New Times&quot;, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;">Anyone riding should plan on being at Lowe's, 1407 Lake Shore Road in Gilford. Plan on being there by *5:45pm ~ we will be leaving the parking lot by 6:00pm with a state trooper escort down route 3 to "The Rock" Hesky Park.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, &quot;New Times&quot;, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;">IF YOU ARE NOT A RIDER ~ Please join us ~ you can arrive by vehicle by way of Route 106 N. There is plenty of parking and your voice is important!<br />As has been stated for the many years. Faith, Trust, Truth, Responsibility and Accountability are still important.<br /><br />Over the years people from the area, state and country have gathered in support of those POW's who have returned, their family, as well as those who did not and those MIA's and the abundance of evidence that shows were left behind. The theme, "When one American life is not worth the effort, we as Americans have lost" is still a fact and today with American soldiers, men and women, serving in harm's way, is even more important. We as American must stay vigilant on their behalf in support of their families.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, &quot;New Times&quot;, serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding: 0px;">Faith, Trust, Truth, Responsibility and Accountability…Facts outweigh Opinions..The Vigil Continues.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, &quot;New Times&quot;, serif; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px;">Bob Jones - 677-7045<br />Meredith<br /><a href="http://www.northeastpowmianetwork.org/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; color: #256bc9; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Northeast POW/MIA Network</a>​<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOogd1httcE/WxbMvcrh6aI/AAAAAAAABUI/L7VpSM6d4pcclpxXfg1KreoL8haAp8sDgCLcBGAs/s1600/19143291_10213785969465292_5617469587873924864_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1504" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOogd1httcE/WxbMvcrh6aI/AAAAAAAABUI/L7VpSM6d4pcclpxXfg1KreoL8haAp8sDgCLcBGAs/s320/19143291_10213785969465292_5617469587873924864_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-60436319849895433362018-06-05T13:37:00.001-04:002018-06-05T13:38:11.900-04:00Trump must press for remains, news about American POWs from Korean War at summit, families say<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">From:</span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"> Kathleen Shemeley &lt;<a href="mailto:pow.mia.ctfmn@gmail.com">pow.mia.ctfmn@gmail.com</a>&gt;<br /><b>Date:</b> June 4, 2018 at 5:46:17 PM EDT</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><b>Dear Bob,&nbsp;</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><b>Would probably be useful for families, activists and vets to add comments to this new Fox piece on POWs (some comments there now suggest this should NOT be a priority)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">Here's the latest from Mark Sauter concerning the upcoming summit.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">Kathy</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="m2341290445431822761p1"><span class="m2341290445431822761s2"><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/06/01/trump-must-press-for-remains-news-about-american-pows-from-korean-war-at-summit-families-say.html" target="_blank">http://www.foxnews.com/<wbr></wbr>politics/2018/06/01/trump-<wbr></wbr>must-press-for-remains-news-<wbr></wbr>about-american-pows-from-<wbr></wbr>korean-war-at-summit-families-<wbr></wbr>say.html</a></span><o:p></o:p></div><br />nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-48350885423803438212018-04-30T15:11:00.001-04:002018-04-30T15:11:57.708-04:00Jerry Greenwood from the VetCenter to attend NH Freedom Ride<section class="mbr-section article mbr-section__container" data-rv-view="147" id="content1-5r" style="background-color: white; background-position: 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-size: 16px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-top: 20px; position: relative;"><div class="container" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 1140px; padding-left: 0.9375rem; padding-right: 0.9375rem; position: relative;"><div class="row" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-left: -0.9375rem; margin-right: -0.9375rem;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Jerry Greenwood from the VetCenter in White River Junction, Vermont will once again be joining us for the NH Freedom Ride.<br /><br />Jerry will be at Hesky Park on June 14th and June 15th to support veterans and their families. Please take some time to stop by and say hello!</span></div></div></div></section>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-79880009889236924542018-04-30T15:08:00.001-04:002018-04-30T15:08:25.223-04:00Veteran with local ties will sing National Anthem<section class="mbr-section article mbr-section__container" data-rv-view="147" id="content1-5r" style="background-color: white; background-position: 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-top: 20px; position: relative;"><div class="container" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 1140px; padding-left: 0.9375rem; padding-right: 0.9375rem; position: relative;"><div class="row" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-left: -0.9375rem; margin-right: -0.9375rem;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">Christopher Clark of Tilton, New Hampshire and graduate of Interlakes High School class of 87' will lead us in the National Anthem at the NH Freedom Ride on June 14, 2018.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><br />Upon graduation from Interlakes High School he attended Plymouth State College as a vocal performance major 1987-1990. He served in the US Army as a PFC Combat Engineer and is a Gulf War Era Veteran. Upon his honorable discharge from the military he went on to granduate cum laude with a bachelor's in humanities from College of Lifelong Learning.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div></div></section>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-4201980703122087942018-04-28T09:02:00.001-04:002018-04-30T15:13:41.861-04:00Deborah Crosby will be our guest speaker for the 30th Anniversary of the POW/MIA Vigil<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;">Deborah Crosby will be our guest speaker for the 30th Anniversary of the POW/MIA Vigil..</span><span style="color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;">The daughter of an American pilot shot down over Vietnam never gave up in her quest to find her father's remains.</span><span style="color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 1.07rem;">And now, it is a mission accomplished.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.07rem;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></div><div style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;"></div><div style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;">Her dad was finally given a military burial in San Diego, after a half-century effort to find him by his daughter from Long Island.&nbsp;<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><div style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;"></div><div style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;">He's home now.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><div style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;"></div><div style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;"><a href="http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/military/veterans/sd-me-mia-return-20170526-story.html">http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/military/veterans/sd-me-mia-return-20170526-story.html</a></div><div style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;"><br /></div><div style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;"></div><div style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Lora, serif;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; touch-action: manipulation;"><i><a href="http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/c/c441.htm">http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/c/c441.htm</a></i></span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><a href="http://abc7ny.com/news/veterans-remains-found-52-years-later-in-vietnam/2052901/" target="_blank">Veterans remains found 52 years later in vietnam</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">June 14th....Hesky Park .. Please pass the word.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Doc Jones</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div><div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;">Visit our website to learn more:&nbsp;<a data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;-U&quot;}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northeastpowmianetwork.org%2FFreedomRide.html&amp;h=ATONxfBKIxt9Z0yVKsF7CmArm6XGZSO-JnUsM6y_58kzJb-NSOpQoq7EIhM6rdJ7zSmtxKXsC76AMeboG-1iiVRfST3Rt9v63m37X5MD54UUp-4aZZdJbzLLPatLkLuKubNC" href="http://www.northeastpowmianetwork.org/FreedomRide.html" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">http://www.northeastpowmianetwork.org/FreedomRide.html</a></div></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-47273196015930231852018-04-25T11:03:00.002-04:002018-04-25T11:03:33.279-04:00Call to Action!!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b>From:</b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">&nbsp;Donna Knox &lt;<a href="mailto:donnadknox@gmail.com">donnadknox@gmail.com</a>&gt;<br /><b>Date:</b>&nbsp;April 24, 2018 at 6:23:32 PM EDT<br /><b>To:</b>&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pitapaco@metrocast.net">pitapaco@metrocast.net</a><br /><b>Subject:</b>&nbsp;<b>Important POW MIA Legislation</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Hi Bob,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Coalition of Families is working with Blair Bjellos in Senator Dean Heller’s office to move the&nbsp;<i>Bring Our Heroes Home Act</i>&nbsp;(S-120) through committee, to the floor and ultimately to passage. In case you haven’t been following the bill, S-120 is the 115<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;Congress’ version of the comprehensive declassification legislation that former Senator Ayotte introduced in the 114<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;Congress—before she lost her bid for re-election.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This bill addresses the need to declassify documents related to POW/MIAs in a way that none before has attempted to do. It would be a significant shift in the effort to account for our missing service personnel.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I have attached a letter I’ve written generically to our community of advocates. It explains S-120 in a bit more detail and it lays out what we can do at this time to help turn the bill into law. We have made it simple. I hope you will read the letter, then articulate your support for the bill. After working this issue for 25 years, I am confident that, if passed, S-120 will make a tremendous difference to the accounting effort. It will bring transparency. It will help us make sure the government is doing its job.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thank you for your support for the men who gave so much. They and their families deserve answers.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">Sincerely, Donna&nbsp;<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Donna D. Knox, Esq.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Legislative/Policy Liaison</i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Coalition of Families of Korean &amp; Cold War POW/MIAs<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><a href="http://www.northeastpowmianetwork.org/PresidentsPage.html" target="_blank">Learn More</a><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: &quot;raleway&quot; , sans-serif;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative" target="_blank">Find Your Representative</a></em></span></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-5567236187574815162018-04-25T10:41:00.003-04:002018-04-25T10:41:55.855-04:00We Need Your Help!!! Bring our Heroes Home (S-120)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AydWyz-xCeo/WuCS3QqhJtI/AAAAAAAABTI/1VJ_nnCtLU8Ioe-aw1mtW6IZjrPrYbO2wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ltr%2Bfrom%2BDonna%2BKnox%2Bre%2BS-120-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1242" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AydWyz-xCeo/WuCS3QqhJtI/AAAAAAAABTI/1VJ_nnCtLU8Ioe-aw1mtW6IZjrPrYbO2wCEwYBhgL/s640/Ltr%2Bfrom%2BDonna%2BKnox%2Bre%2BS-120-page-001.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><br />nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-8487233433374043312018-04-25T10:39:00.000-04:002018-04-25T10:59:03.412-04:00<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><br /></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-86488285113707335722018-04-08T08:32:00.001-04:002018-04-09T12:08:51.161-04:00National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day - April 9<h1 class="entry-title main_title" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://nationaldaycalendar.com/todays-trivia/" rel="attachment wp-att-350318" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: indianred; font-size: 26px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day - April 9" class="aligncenter wp-image-350318 jetpack-lazy-image--handled" data-lazy-loaded="1" height="372" src="https://i1.wp.com/nationaldaycalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/National-Former-Prisoner-of-War-Recognition-Day-April-9-1024x512.jpg?resize=750%2C375" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;" width="745" /></a></h1><div class="entry-content" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><h3 style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 22px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">NATIONAL FORMER PRISONER&nbsp;OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY</h3><div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day on April 9 honors the courageous men and women who have endured brutal treatment at the hands of their captors, separation from family and displayed incredible endurance and faith during their captivity.</div><div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">On this day in 1942, the largest number of U.S. Forces were captured by Japanese troops in the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. After battling through extreme conditions and prolonged battles, the captured troops were forced to march 65 miles to the prison camp. Without medical attention, food or water thousands died. The mistreatment continued for those who survived the brutal journey. In the compounds, deep in the unfamiliar jungle, the hardships, brutality, and suffering lasted more than two years for those who could survive.</div><div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Many POWs endure conditions much like this. These heroes deserve a day of recognition.&nbsp;An annual presidential proclamation is signed for National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day and government officials, veterans, civic and private organizations observe the day with ceremonies and events. Some states require the POW/MIA flag to be flown in this day.</div><div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">HOW TO OBSERVE</span></div><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>Honor former POWs by helping to organize events. &nbsp;Ensure your organization flies the POW/MIA flag. &nbsp;Use #FormerPOWRecognitionDay to share on social media.</div><div class="rtecenter" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">HISTORY</span></div><div class="rtecenter" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed National Prisoner of War Recognition Day in 1987.</div></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-47595184729368777602018-03-20T17:12:00.003-04:002018-03-20T17:12:55.570-04:00The 50 State Traveling POW/MIA Flag, will be stopping in Meredith<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px;">Heads Up ...<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px;">Thanks to Jon Dion, President Rolling Thunder NH-1;<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><b style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;">The 50 State Traveling POW/MIA Flag</b><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px;">, will be stopping in Meredith Sunday March 25th on its way for the Transfer to Maine.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px;">Ceremony Planning is in the works for a Full Ceremony on the Meredith POW/MIA Vigil HILL Sunday 1430 (2:30pm).<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px;">This year is the 30th Anniversary of the Meredith POW/MIA Vigil, please make every effort to attend.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px;">Please Rearrange your Palm Sunday Dinner for just a little bit, for Our POW/MIA’s!<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px;">Prior to coming to Meredith there will be a Ceremony @ NHSVC 1100 Sunday 25th!<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><br style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232323; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; user-select: auto;" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/POW-flag-50-State-Tour-446276625758621/" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #149dcc; cursor: pointer; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: auto;">https://www.facebook.com/POW-flag-50-State-Tour-446276625758621/&nbsp;</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HRxjMIvs4XE/WrF5Qbxiq0I/AAAAAAAABSU/TEHLNVT_LeYR1grZBYEMYZsYeWJNL6orwCLcBGAs/s1600/image003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="284" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HRxjMIvs4XE/WrF5Qbxiq0I/AAAAAAAABSU/TEHLNVT_LeYR1grZBYEMYZsYeWJNL6orwCLcBGAs/s1600/image003.jpg" /></a></div><br />nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-12536337719393537792018-03-19T16:09:00.003-04:002018-03-19T16:12:06.844-04:00One last service for WWII flag By Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes <div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea — A flag colored in part with the blood of U.S. prisoners of war and draped over their coffins for funerals at stalags will be used one last time at Arlington National Cemetery next month.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">The flag will cover the coffin of its owner, retired Sergeant Robert Hopkins. The former enlisted Chaplain from the 38th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, used the flag at more than 300 POW funerals during World War II.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">It will be transported to the Virginia cemetery from its home at the 2nd ID Museum at Camp Red Cloud, where Hopkins left it in 1979.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Hopkins was captured in the Battle of the Bulge at Krinkelt, Belgium, in December 1944 and forced to march with 2,300 POWs to a stalag, or World War II German prisoner of war camp.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">“Within two weeks of being a prisoner, it was my sad job to bury over 700 American soldiers. Not because they were all worn out. Not because they were ready to die but because somebody didn’t want them to live. The Germans would shoot them for sport,” he recalled at the time he donated the flag to the museum.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Hopkins was a POW at Stalag VIIIA near Gorlitz and in January 1945 officiated the first formal military funeral service inside Germany, for American POW Bruce Schalm.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">The Germans agreed to allow a flag to be used and for Schalm to be buried in a makeshift casket made of boards bound with wire. Prison corpses were normally stripped and tossed in an open pit, Hopkins said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">“The flag … was made from two sugar bags, which two British soldiers stole from the camp,” he recalled.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">It was painted with blue and red dye mixed with blood, he said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">“That was easy to come by. Soldiers were always bleeding to death,” he said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Guards photographed the service for propaganda purposes but POWs stole the photographs. The Germans were furious, Hopkins said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">“Three days later, I watched two British soldiers being shot to death by having bullets fired into their feet, then every six inches up their bodies until they died. Their last words were ‘Don’t let them find the flag, use it for the memory of all who die,’ ” he said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">When Hopkins was transferred to another stalag he took the flag with him. He and other soldiers carried it for more than 2,300 miles all over Germany, he said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">“The flag was hid so no German could find it. After we left Gorlitz the guards were more tolerable and at times we were permitted to use the flag, then the flag would go into hiding again,” he said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Four months later, Hopkins escaped, taking the flag with him. After the war he became a Methodist Minister in Natural Bridge, Virginia.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">After he died earlier this month, his family asked the 2nd ID Museum to loan them the flag for his funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">The Center for Military History approved the request and the flag is on its way to Arlington. It will return to the 2nd ID Museum after the ceremony, a museum staff member said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">“We are honoring a member of the greatest generation and this is the least we can do. This guy was a real hero,” the staff member said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Hopkins’ son, Norman Hopkins, who served as a U.S. Army Sergeant in Vietnam, said his father often told the story of the flag, which sat in a cupboard of their home while he was growing up.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">“When I was young, I used to see the flag and hold it in my hands. Dad would tell me about the British soldiers who got shot because they would not give it up. The flag meant a lot to my dad and it means a lot to me,” he said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Norman Hopkins said that although his father was a Chaplain, he carried a .45 revolver and a Thompson machine gun during the war.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">“He was asked one time … why he carried guns. He said: ‘A shepherd must protect his flock.’”</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Hopkins’s funeral will include an honor guard to fold the flag before its return to the museum, he said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">The British soldier’s sacrifices for the flag are an example for today’s soldiers, Norman Hopkins said.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">The last time it was used at a funeral, he said, “was in World War II. I hope… the alliances we have in Europe and in Asia are as strong as they were during World War II. It doesn’t matter if it is a South Korean soldier, a French soldier, an Italian soldier or an Australian soldier. The alliance should be there.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F176v7WSCBQ/WrAYEkeJ87I/AAAAAAAABSE/_IUaZHWr6OAESZpZ5YsE2U6NI3_1DKfRACLcBGAs/s1600/robert-hopkins-flag-photo-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F176v7WSCBQ/WrAYEkeJ87I/AAAAAAAABSE/_IUaZHWr6OAESZpZ5YsE2U6NI3_1DKfRACLcBGAs/s1600/robert-hopkins-flag-photo-01.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">Museum technician Incha Koslosky prepares a U.S</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">. flag <br />used for funerals of Allied POWs during World War&nbsp;</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">II for shipment to <br />Arlington National Cemetery,&nbsp;</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">where it will be used during its owner's funeral.</span></span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RF2xt9HFOSw/WrAYG6BODAI/AAAAAAAABSI/Bvbvb83If0A7cT3iDqMXm4cHB5IcnHRgwCLcBGAs/s1600/robert-hopkins-flag-photo-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RF2xt9HFOSw/WrAYG6BODAI/AAAAAAAABSI/Bvbvb83If0A7cT3iDqMXm4cHB5IcnHRgwCLcBGAs/s1600/robert-hopkins-flag-photo-02.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">Sergeant Robert Hopkins wrote his name on the back of this&nbsp;</span></span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">U.S. flag, which is colored with the blood of World War II&nbsp;</span></span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;"><b>Allied POWs. It will be used at his funeral at Arlington Cemetery&nbsp;next month.</b></span></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_CIgdPLu9t8/WrAYI5Ey23I/AAAAAAAABSM/1FSLLZSET9wGqn_kLpMlw_yts2W40U_7gCLcBGAs/s1600/robert-hopkins-flag-photo-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="152" data-original-width="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_CIgdPLu9t8/WrAYI5Ey23I/AAAAAAAABSM/1FSLLZSET9wGqn_kLpMlw_yts2W40U_7gCLcBGAs/s1600/robert-hopkins-flag-photo-03.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">2nd ID enlisted Chaplain Sergeant Robert Hopkins presides over&nbsp;</span></span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">the first formal U.S. POW funeral in Germany during World War II.&nbsp;</span></span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">Two of the other soldiers in the picture were shot for refusing to&nbsp;</span></span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">give up the flag and this photograph, which they stole from the Germans.</span></span></b> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N-NWMTMdA0E/WrAYKDCtChI/AAAAAAAABSQ/EZmrer7vbnsD_UfeiSMUqKijzfzX4m4AgCLcBGAs/s1600/hopkins-flag-2id-museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="400" height="147" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N-NWMTMdA0E/WrAYKDCtChI/AAAAAAAABSQ/EZmrer7vbnsD_UfeiSMUqKijzfzX4m4AgCLcBGAs/s320/hopkins-flag-2id-museum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">This flag was made by American prisoners held at Stalag VIIIA in Gorlitz, Germany&nbsp;</span></span> <br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">and was used in the first formal funeral allowed by the Germans in January 1945.&nbsp;</span></span> <br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">A German guard was preparing to shoot into the funeral group until a major&nbsp;</span></span> <br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><span style="color: #333300;">stopped him. The major wanted to take a photograph for propaganda purposes</span></span> <br /><span style="color: #333300;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;">(Courtesy of the 2nd Infantry Division Museum)&nbsp;</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #333300;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #333300;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial narrow&quot;;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #333300;">HOPKINS, ROBERT</span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #333300;">SGT&nbsp;&nbsp; US ARMY</span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #333300;">WORLD WAR II</span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #333300;">DATE OF BIRTH: 04/26/1919</span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #333300;">DATE OF DEATH: 06/24/2004</span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #333300;">BURIED AT: SECTION 69&nbsp; SITE 3420</span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #333300;">ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY&nbsp;</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-56224460907748959412018-03-01T17:02:00.002-05:002018-03-01T17:03:56.883-05:00Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day ceremony<div style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 17.12px; font-weight: 700;">Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day ceremony</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">When:</span><span class="ydp2abed4fApple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>Saturday, April 7, 2018</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Time:</span><span class="ydp2abed4fApple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>10:00am - 11:00am</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Location:</span><span class="ydp2abed4fApple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 17.12px; text-align: center;">The Dept of NH Veterans of Foreign Wars, Auxiliary, and the NH Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War<br />&nbsp;cordially invite you and your family and friends to the annual Former Prisons of War<br />Recognition Day ceremony in the Chapel that starts at 10:00am.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><div data-setdir="true" dir="" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-40250110995528037942018-03-01T15:37:00.000-05:002018-03-01T15:37:22.372-05:00Who is Mike Benge?<b><br /></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Just heard from an old friend who has stood at the vigil with us many times...</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Bob: &nbsp;Great to hear from you. &nbsp;I'm happy to hear that you're still at it and come June it will be your 30th anniversary. &nbsp;I well remember when I joined you for the remembrance. &nbsp;Us Hard Corps types will never forget. &nbsp;I'm still active in the issue in spite of the government's opinion. &nbsp;Attached is a paper (still in draft) I wrote on the POW//MIA situation and presented at last year's National Alliance of Families annual meeting. &nbsp;I wrote it for inclusion in the book I'm writing on my memories. &nbsp;It's a sad tale"</span><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Semper Fi Brother. &nbsp;Mike. <br /><br />So who is this Mike Benge?....</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>BENGE, MICHAEL DENNIS<br /><br /><table border="0" id="table1" style="color: black; width: 91%px;"><tbody><tr><td>Name: Michael Dennis Benge<br />Rank/Branch: U.S. Civilian<br />Unit: Agency for International Development<br />Date of Birth: 6 August 1935<br />Home City of Record: Oregon<br />Date of Loss: 31 January 1968<br />Country of Loss: South Vietnam<br />Loss Coordinates: 124049N 1080235E (AQ800030)<br />Status (in 1973): Released POW<br />Category:<br />Acft/Vehicle/Ground: Ground<br />Refno: 1008</td><td></td><td width="113"><div align="center"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Other Personnel in Incident: Betty Ann Olsen; Henry F. Blood (both<br />captured); Rev.Griswald (killed); Carolyn Griswald (daughter of<br />Rev.Griswald, survived first attack, died of wounds); Rev. Zeimer (killed);<br />Mrs.Robert Zeimer (wounded, first attack, evaded, survived); Rev.&amp;<br />Mrs.Thompson; Miss Ruth Whilting (all killed)<br />Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 30 June 1990 from one or more of<br />the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence<br />with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W.<br />NETWORK 1998 with material from Michael Benge.&nbsp; 2017<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />REMARKS: 730305 RELEASED BY PRG<br />SYNOPSIS: Michael D. Benge was born in 1935 and raised on a ranch in eastern<br />Oregon. After college at Oregon State, he applied to the CIA, because he<br />wanted to travel the world. CIA told him to try the Agency for International<br />Development (AID). AID sent him to International Voluntary Services (IVS).<br />After two years in Vietnam with IVS, Benge transferred to AID and served as<br />an AID agricultural advisor. By the time of the Tet offensive of 1968, he<br />had been in-country five years, working almost the whole time with the<br />Montagnards in the highlands. He spoke fluent Vietnamese and several<br />Montagnard dialects.<br /><br />On January 31, 1968, Benge was captured while riding in a jeep near Ban Me<br />Thuot, South Vietnam. Learning of the Tet offensive strikes, Benge was<br />checking on some IVS volunteers who were living in a hamlet with three<br />companies of Montagnard rebels who had just been through a lot of fighting<br />as the NVA went through the Ban Me Thuot area. His plan was to pick up the<br />IVS "kids" and then go down to pick up some missionaries in the area.<br />Benge was captured a few miles from the Leprosarium at Ban Me Thuot. This<br />center treated anyone with a need as well as those suffering from leprosy.<br />It was at the Leprosarium that Rev. Archie Mitchell, Dr. Eleanor Vietti and<br />Daniel Gerber had been taken prisoner in 1962. The Viet Cong regularly<br />harassed and attacked the center in spite of its humanitarian objectives.<br />During the Tet offensive, the Viet Cong again tried to wipe out the<br />Christian missionary influence in Dar Lac Province, and over a three day<br />period attacked the hospital compound several times.<br /><br />Betty Ann Olsen was born to Missionary parents in Bouake, Ivory Coast. She<br />had attended a religious school and missionary college in Nyack, New York.<br />Curious about the way the other part of the world lived, she went to Vietnam<br />in 1964 as a missionary nurse for Christian and Missionary Alliance, and was<br />assigned to the Leprosarium at Ban Me Thuot. Henry F. Blood was a missionary<br />serving as translator and linguist for Wickcliff Translators at the<br />Leprosarium.<br /><br />During one of the earlier attacks on the hospital compound, three staff<br />homes were destroyed, one housing Rev. Griswald, who was killed, and his<br />grown daughter Carolyn, who survived the explosion but later died of her<br />wounds. During the same attack, Rev. and Mrs. Zeimer, Rev.and Mrs. Thompson<br />and Miss Ruth Whilting were trapped and machine gunned. Only Mrs. Zeimer<br />survived her 20-30 wounds and was later evacuated to Cam Ranh Bay. Blood and<br />Olsen escaped injury for the moment.<br /><br />Two days later, on February 1, 1968, as Olsen was preparing to escape with<br />the injured Griswald, she and Henry Blood were captured during another<br />attack on the hospital.<br /><br />For the next month or so, Benge, Blood and Olsen were held in a POW camp in<br />Darlac Province, about a day's walk from Ban Me Thuot, and were held in<br />cages where they had nothing to eat but boiled manioc (a large starchy root<br />from which tapioca is made).<br /><br />The Vietnamese kept moving their prisoners, hiking through the jungles and<br />mountains. The camp areas, swept very clean of leaves to keep the mosquito<br />population down (and the ensuing malaria threat), were clearly visible from<br />the sky. Once, Benge reports, an American aircraft came so close to the camp<br />that he could see the pilot's face. The pilot "wagged his wings" and flew<br />away. The Vietnamese, fearing rescue attempts and U.S. air strikes, kept<br />moving.<br /><br />For months Olsen, Blood and Benge were chained together and moved north from<br />one encampment to another, moving over 200 miles through the mountainous<br />jungles. The trip was grueling and took its toll on the prisoners. They were<br />physically depleted, sick from dysentery and malnutrition; beset by fungus,<br />infection, leeches and ulcerated sores.<br /><br />Mike Benge contracted cerebral malaria and nearly died. He credits Olsen<br />with keeping him alive. She forced him to rouse from his delirium to eat and<br />drink water and rice soup. Mike Benge describes Olsen as "a Katherine<br />Hepburn type...[with] an extra bit of grit."<br /><br />In the summer of 1968, the prisoners, again on the trail, were left exposed<br />to the rain during the rainy season. Hank Blood contracted pneumonia,<br />weakened steadily, and eventually died in July. (July 1968 is one of the<br />dates given by the Vietnamese - the other, according to classified<br />information the U.S. gave to the Vietnamese through General John Vessey<br />indicates that Mr. Blood died on October 17, 1972. Mike Benge says Blood<br />died around July 4.) Blood was buried in a shallow grave along the trail,<br />with Olsen conducting grave-side services.<br /><br />Benge and Olsen were kept moving. Their bodies were covered with sores, and<br />they had pyorrhea from beri-beri. Their teeth were loosening and gums<br />infected. They spent a lot of time talking about good meals and good places<br />to eat, planning to visit their favorite restaurants together when they went<br />home. They moved every two or three days.<br /><br />Benge and Olsen were moved near Tay Ninh Province, almost to Da Lat, then<br />back to Quang Duc Province. Olsen was getting weak, and the Vietnamese began<br />to kick and drag her to keep her moving. Benge, trying to defend her, was<br />beaten with rifle butts.<br /><br />Just before crossing the border into Cambodia, Olsen weakened to the point<br />that she could no longer move. Ironically, in this area, near a tributary to<br />the Mekong river, fish and livestock abounded, and there was a garden, but<br />the food was denied to the prisoners. They were allowed to gather bamboo<br />shoots, but were not told how to cook it.<br /><br />Bamboo needs to be boiled in two waters to extract an acid substance. Not<br />knowing this, Olsen and Benge boiled their food only once and were beset<br />with immobilizing stomach cramps within a half-hour; diarrhea soon followed.<br />Betty Ann Olsen weakened and finally died September 29, 1968 (Vessey<br />information indicates this date as September 26), and was buried by Benge.<br />Finally, Benge was taken to Cambodia, turned over to the North Vietnamese,<br />and another long, grueling trek began. Benge, however, had made his mind up<br />that he wouldn't die. He treated his ulcerated body by lying in creeks and<br />allowed small fish to feed off the dead tissue (a primitive debridement),<br />then caught the fish and ate them raw. He caught small, green frogs and<br />swallowed them whole. He did everything he could to supplement his meager<br />food ration.<br /><br />By the time he reached the camp the Vietnamese called "the land of milk and<br />honey" his hair was white and he was so dehydrated and emaciated that other<br />POWs estimated his age to be over seventy years old. He was, at the time,<br />only thirty-three.<br /><br />After a year in Cambodia, Benge was marched north on the Ho Chi Minh Trail<br />to Hanoi. He spent over three years in camps there, including a total of<br />twenty-seven months in solitary confinement. Upon his return, he verified<br />collaboration charges against eight of his fellow POWs, in a prosecution<br />effort initiated by Col. Theodore Guy (this action was discouraged by the<br />U.S. Government and the effort was subsequently abandoned.) Mike Benge then<br />returned to Vietnam and worked with the Montagnards until the end of the<br />war.<br /><br />The Vietnamese have never attempted return the remains of Henry Blood and<br />Betty Olsen. They are two individuals that the Vietnamese could provide a<br />wealth of information on. Since they pride themselves on being<br />"humanitarians," it would not be in keeping with this image to reveal the<br />horror Olsen and Blood endured in their hands. It is not surprising, then,<br />that the Vietnamese have not publicly told their stories.<br /><br />Olsen and Blood are among nearly 2500 Americans, including several<br />civilians, who are still unaccounted for, missing or prisoner from the<br />Vietnam war. Since the war ended, over 10,000 reports have been received<br />concerning these missing Americans which have convinced many authorities<br />that hundreds are still alive in communist hands. While Blood and Olsen may<br />not be among them, they went to Vietnam to help. They would not turn their<br />backs on their fellow man. Why has their own country turned its back on<br />them?<br /><br />SOURCE: WE CAME HOME<br />copyright 1977 Captain and Mrs. Frederic A Wyatt (USNR Ret),<br />Barbara Powers Wyatt, Editor<br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rSqmgwCWZtM/WphjdlCkTdI/AAAAAAAABRc/q8Pod9KUa3k4CykagNrSfgEk4lXh0ko2gCLcBGAs/s1600/b600.h1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="359" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rSqmgwCWZtM/WphjdlCkTdI/AAAAAAAABRc/q8Pod9KUa3k4CykagNrSfgEk4lXh0ko2gCLcBGAs/s200/b600.h1.jpg" width="186" /></a>P.O.W. Publications, 10250 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602<br />Text is reproduced as found in the original<br />publication (including date and spelling errors).<br />MICHAEL D. BENGE<br />Civilian<br />Captured: January 28, 1968<br />Released: March 5, 1973<br />From 1956 through 1959 I served in the Marine Corps. After I competed my tour<br />of duty, I returned&nbsp; to Oregon State University and completed my studies in<br />Mechanical Technology in Agricultural Engineering. I served with the<br />International Volunteer Services (the forerunner of the Peace Corps), in<br />Vietnam from 1963 to 1965, as an advisor in education and agriculture. I<br />joined the Agency for International Development (AID), in January 1965 and<br />returned to Vietnam to work chiefly with the Montagnards (an aboriginal people<br />of the Malayan-Polynesian extraction living in the western highlands). Here I<br />acted as a civilian economic and community development advisor to the Darlac<br />province chief. During this period I&nbsp; was named the adopted son of a tribal<br />chief and his wife. The brass bracelets given to me by the Montagnards were<br />removed when I was captured. However, since my return I am again wearing the<br />bracelets.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Three years later on January 28, 1968, while attempting to group people for<br />evacuation, I was captured by the North Vietnamese in South Vietnam. For five<br />silent years I endured forced marches through South Vietnam, Laos, and<br />Cambodia, into North Vietnam. I was tortured by the hands of the Communists<br />for my "bad attitude". While in captivity I was kept in solitary confinement<br />for 27 months. At intervals I was forced to maintain a difficult position on<br />my knees with my hands over my head for between 11 and 16 hours at a time. If<br />I dropped my hands I was beaten. While marching for several months, I had only<br />a small amount of rice and salt to eat. Perhaps once or twice a month I<br />received a tiny portion of&nbsp; monkey or lizard meat. I ate anything I could pick<br />up or catch, small crabs, frogs, minnows, bugs, etc. If caught doing this I<br />was beaten so I swallowed them raw when no one was looking.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />About two months after I was captured I came down with cerebral malaria.<br />During this period of&nbsp; time&nbsp; I was delirious for thirty-five days and suffered<br />periodic blindness. No medical assistance was offered. As a&nbsp; result of<br />malnutrition, I began suffering from beri-beri, scurvy, jungle ulcers, loss of<br />hair, and loose teeth.&nbsp; From 160 my weight decreased to less than 100 lbs. As<br />I marched through Cambodia and Laos I passed an endless stream of North<br />Vietnamese uniformed soldiers walking South and supplies being trucked from<br />Port of Sianookville, Cambodia and from Hanoi In Cambodia and Laos there were<br />rest camps every four hours along the trail flying the North Vietnamese flag.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />The 85 men held captive with me would never had been taken prisoner if the<br />U.S. had struck the safe havens in Cambodia prior to the launching of the Tet<br />offensive in 1968. The only reason the P.O.W.'s&nbsp; were released was because the<br />Americans eventually bombed Hanoi.&nbsp; I was taken all the way to Hanoi. In the<br />early part of December 1969,1 spent about two months in&nbsp; a camp in Laos<br />somewhere around Highway 9. I was then trucked into Hanoi and taken to a camp<br />outside of the city. At this location I was put into solitary confinement for<br />the next year, seeing no other American. I was kept in an isolation hut, where<br />they had sealed off all of the ventilation holes allowing no air. The walls<br />were painted black with coal dust and cement. There was no light. I had<br />contact with no one else. The room was filled with mosquitoes and flies. There<br />was one hole in the back of the hut which allowed little or no air to come in.<br />Only rats! And frequently I had eight or ten of them with me. My well was<br />right outside the hut. About fifteen yards uphill they had placed a cesspool.<br />Everytime it rained the water turned brown with pollution.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />The free people of South Vietnam learned the nature of the North Vietnamese<br />communists in 1968&nbsp; when they invaded Hue. The systematic massacre that<br />followed belied the N.V.A.'s persuasive propaganda. First they murdered<br />thousands on their lists of opponents or neutralists. Then they turned on the<br />pro-communists and student groups whom they did not consider reliable. Then as<br />they retreated they killed anyone they thought might have witnessed the<br />wholesale slaughter. Two missionaries, with whom I was imprisoned, told of<br />seeing six other missionaries, in Ban Me Thuot, gunned down in cold blood as<br />they emerged from bunkers with their hands over their heads. Two women<br />missionaries in Laos were tied inside grass huts by the NVA and burnt to<br />death. In another area three villages were overrun by the North Vietnamese and<br />they drove the women and children into a ditch and burnt them alive with<br />flame-throwers.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />I was elated when I first learned of the peace talks. However, even with peace<br />and my return home I continue trying to awaken the people in the U.S. and<br />elsewhere about many facts of the Vietnam war.&nbsp; I am very concerned about the<br />American, South Vietnamese and third country prisoners of war who are still<br />held by the North Vietnamese. We have documented proof of 53 Americans whom<br />the North Vietnamese had captured and used for propaganda purposes. There has<br />been no accounting of them on any of the POW or MIA lists. I feel that the<br />North Vietnamese may use the remaining prisoners to justify to their people<br />their claim of winning the war.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />I am happy to have been home to rejoin my mother, father, and sister even for<br />such a short period of time. At present I am still a bachelor and have<br />returned to college in the Philippines for my M.S. degree in community<br />development. I returned to South Vietnam for four months to see my many<br />friends. I shall again return to work again with the Montagnards in Vietnam if<br />"The Tide Doesn't Turn Red." Unlike many others, my going to Vietnam wasn't<br />just "Doing My Thing". I still feel that I have a commitment. A commitment<br />that "they too might have the freedom of choice, of beliefs and political<br />alternatives."<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>It was great to return to America and be back in a country, even with all its<br />social ills, where one can enjoy the freedom of speech, the freedom of<br />thought, and the freedom of political choice in the free world, things that<br />are unknown to those, still in the lands where I was held as a POW.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=694" target="_blank">Veteran Tributes</a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=694" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="379" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pGrUadtjc2M/WphjdhD_vlI/AAAAAAAABRg/9RfSTQ-rw0w_pRmw92F2SMvtjL_s4ZCFwCLcBGAs/s320/Embedded1519592241588.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-82906537169151474062018-02-27T19:00:00.001-05:002018-02-27T19:19:10.137-05:00Congressional Actions<br /><br /><div id="footer" style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div id="footer-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: auto; padding: 4em 1.6em; width: 960px;"><div class="wsite-elements wsite-footer" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="color: #8e8e8e; height: 10px; overflow: hidden;"><br /></div><span class="wsite-social wsite-social-default" style="color: #8e8e8e; display: inline-block; position: relative;"><a alt-text="Facebook" class="first-child wsite-social-item wsite-social-facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-League-of-POWMIA-Families/136564939586" style="background: none 0px 0px no-repeat; color: #c61a1a; display: inline-block; font-size: 1.35em; height: auto; margin: 0px 8px 10px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" target="_blank"><span class="wsite-social-item-inner"></span></a></span><span style="color: #8e8e8e;"></span></div></div></div></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-88908429442069405892018-02-27T18:56:00.000-05:002018-02-27T19:18:48.668-05:00H. RES. 129 PASSES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:<strong style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">H. RES. 129 PASSES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: &quot;raleway&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">:&nbsp; On February 12th, the US House of Representatives passed this important resolution by a vote of 411 – 0, sending a unified message to the American people – including our Armed Forces serving today and our veterans, as well as foreign nations.&nbsp; Introduced by&nbsp;</span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Representative Sam Johnson (R-TX)</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: &quot;raleway&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">, a returned POW from the Vietnam War, His strong message on the Floor of the House occurred almost precisely 45 years after he and America’s other returned POWs were released from many years of captivity in Vietnam.&nbsp; Passage of this resolution reflects true bipartisan, non-political support for the humanitarian accounting mission.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: &quot;raleway&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">It is now the US Senate’s turn to act.&nbsp; The identical measure was simultaneously introduced in the US Senate by&nbsp;</span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Senator John S. McCain (R-AZ)</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: &quot;raleway&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;as&nbsp;</span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">S. RES. 61</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: &quot;raleway&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">.&nbsp; Non-partisan, non-political passage by the US Senate would further reinforce our country’s support for achieving the fullest possible accounting for those who serve our nation – past, present and future.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><u style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">That needs to happen quickly</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #515151; font-family: &quot;raleway&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: red;">CONTACT YOUR SENATORS TO URGE IMMEDIATE PASSAGE OF S. RES. 61.</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;">115th CONGRESS</span><br style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;">1st Session</span><br style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;" /><strong style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-resolution/61" target="_blank">S. RES. 61</a></strong><br style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</span><br style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</span><br style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;">&nbsp; Calling on the Department of Defense, other elements of the Federal</span><br style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Government, and foreign governments to intensify efforts to</span><br style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;">&nbsp; investigate, recover, and identify all missing and unaccounted-for</span><br style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;personnel of the United States.</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>Write, call, or email congress urging bipartisan support for US priority on accounting for America’s unreturned veterans.</strong><br /><strong>To find your Representative go to:</strong></span><br style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: large;" /><a href="http://www.house.gov/representatives/" style="color: #c61a1a; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">http://www.house.gov/representatives/</a><br style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: large;" /><strong style="color: #515151; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">To find your Senator:&nbsp;</span><br /><a href="https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm" style="color: #c61a1a; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">​</a></strong><a href="https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm" style="color: #c61a1a; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm&nbsp;</a></div><br /><h2 class="wsite-content-title" style="background-color: white; color: rgb(40, 44, 93) !important; font-family: Cabin !important; font-size: 30px !important; font-weight: 400 !important; margin: 0px auto 0.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase !important; word-wrap: break-word;"></h2><div style="background-color: white; color: #8e8e8e; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div class="wsite-multicol" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"></div></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-23656762916117687612018-02-27T18:53:00.002-05:002018-02-27T18:53:41.098-05:00Save The Date ~ Freedom Ride<h1 class="mbr-section-title display-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 4.39rem; letter-spacing: -2px; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 1.6875rem; text-align: center; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;">Freedom Ride</h1><div class="mbr-section-lead lead" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 2.3125rem; margin-top: -1em; text-align: center;"><b>"As an American asked to serve, I was prepared to fight,&nbsp;<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />to be wounded,to be captured and even prepared to die,&nbsp;<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />but I was not prepared to be abandoned."&nbsp;<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />(Former POW Eugene "Red" McDaniel - Source:&nbsp;<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />VVnW POW/MIA Page)</b></div><h3 class="mbr-section-title display-2" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 3rem; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 1.5625rem; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;">Faith and Trust .....&nbsp;<div style="box-sizing: inherit;">We must never Forget</div><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit;">Save The Date!</div></h3><div class="lead" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #232323; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 1.07rem; text-align: right;"><div class="" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.07rem; margin-bottom: 2.3125rem; text-align: center;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Freedom Ride ~ June 14, 2018&nbsp;<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />25th Anniversary of the Freedom Ride&nbsp;<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />30th Anniversary of the Vigil&nbsp;<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Hesky Park "The Rock" Meredith, NH&nbsp;<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />”Ride to the Rock”</span></div><div class="" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.07rem; margin-bottom: 2.3125rem; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><a href="http://www.northeastpowmianetwork.org/FreedomRide.html" target="_blank">More Information can be found on our website</a></span></div></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-44855748946485545762018-02-27T18:49:00.000-05:002018-02-27T18:49:02.814-05:00STATUS OF THE ISSUE<h2 class="wsite-content-title" style="background-color: white; color: rgb(40, 44, 93) !important; font-family: Cabin !important; font-size: 30px !important; font-weight: 400 !important; margin: 0px auto 0.3em; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase !important; word-wrap: break-word;">STATUS OF THE ISSUE</h2><div class="paragraph" style="background-color: white; color: rgb(81, 81, 81) !important; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">February 26, 2018<br />​</span></strong><br />1,600 Americans are now listed by DoD as missing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War: Vietnam - 1,253 (VN-458, VS-795); Laos–292; Cambodia-48; Peoples Republic of China territorial waters–7.&nbsp; (These numbers fluctuate due to investigations resulting in changed locations of loss.)&nbsp; The League seeks the fullest possible accounting for those still missing and repatriation of all recoverable remains.&nbsp; Highest priority is accounting for Americans last known alive. US intelligence indicates some Americans known to be in captivity in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were not returned at the end of the war.&nbsp; In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it must be assumed that these Americans could still be alive, and the US Government should not rule out that&nbsp;<u>possibility.</u><br /><br />Vietnam established comprehensive wartime and post-war processes to collect and retain information and remains; thus, unilateral efforts by them offered significant potential.&nbsp; Vietnam has since taken many unilateral actions that are welcome and appreciated, plus announced that there are no obstacles to full cooperation.&nbsp; Recently, Vietnam has increased implementation of commitments to provide long-sought archival records with relevant, case-related information, thanks in part to improvement of working-level efforts, but primarily due to increased bilateral relations across the board.&nbsp; The early 2015 League Delegation brought commitments that offered real promise for increased success. First undertaken in northern Vietnam in 1985, joint field operations have dramatically changed and are now much more effective.&nbsp; Vietnamese officials are participating with greater seriousness and professionalism, achieving increased results, including both US-led Joint Excavation Teams and Vietnamese Recovery Teams (VRTs), led by Vietnamese and supported by a few US personnel.&nbsp; This formula allows a greater number of teams to “increase the pace and scope of field operations,” as requested by Vietnam since 2009, unless budget reductions interfere.&nbsp; Due to increased military-to-military cooperation, US Navy assets are now allowed to participate in underwater survey and recovery operations, when requested.&nbsp; These steps, long advocated by the League, are now coming to fruition and reportedly are raised by US officials at all levels.<br /><br />After a rough period, joint field operations in Laos are now increasingly productive, even though more difficult than elsewhere.&nbsp; Accounting efforts had slowed due to Lao Government inflexibility, attempting to over-price payment for helicopter support and denying permission for ground transport to accessible incident sites.&nbsp; Recently, Laos is showing much greater flexibility, having again authorized an increased number of US personnel in-country simul-taneously, allowing ground transportation to accessible sites, and reaching agreement for contracting a private company to provide reliable, smaller-scale helicopter support to access remote sites.&nbsp; When helpful, Vietnamese witnesses are also allowed to participate in joint US-Lao operations. &nbsp;DIA’s Stony Beach POW/MIA specialist is assigned full time in-country, and Lao officials are now approving field investigations outside the confines of scheduled DPAA field operations.&nbsp; A border dispute with Cambodia that was ongoing when the League Delegation visited over two years ago continues to impede recovery operations in that area.&nbsp; The League urges officials in Laos&nbsp;<u>and</u>&nbsp;Cambodia to at least temporarily set aside their political disagreement and work trilaterally with the US to proceed on this humanitarian recovery, to end the uncertainty of the families.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><br />DIA’s Stony Beach Team:&nbsp; One Cambodia specialist works full time at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, and research and field operations in Cambodia have received excellent support.&nbsp; Two Stony Beach personnel for years rotated on temporary duty in and out of Vietnam, collecting information via archival research and interviews of potential witnesses.&nbsp; DIA has now decided to permanently station one Stony Beach Vietnam specialist in Hawaii and one in Hanoi, to which Vietnam has agreed.&nbsp; Successive US Ambassadors have strongly supported this important move, and increases in bilateral military relations clearly contributed to overcoming past reluctance.&nbsp; New US Ambassador to Laos Rena Bitter reportedly supports full use of DIA’s Lao specialist.&nbsp; It is hoped that ever-expanding bilateral relationships with Laos and Vietnam will mean positive decisions and greater flexibility to expand.&nbsp; Stony Beach specialists are sorely needed to augment the investigation process while witnesses are still living and able to facilitate locating incident sites for follow-up.&nbsp; <br /><br />The greatest obstacles to increased Vietnam War accounting efforts are too few qualified scientists, and unreliable funding that has caused US cancellation of scheduled operations, thus sending negative signals to foreign counterpart officials, especially in Vietnam.&nbsp; Since over 80% of US losses in Laos and 90% in Cambodia occurred in areas where Vietnamese forces operated during the war, Vietnam’s expanded provision of helpful records, improved and increased archival research, interviews and field operations are the core means to increase accounting results for Vietnam War missing personnel, America’s UNRETURNED VETERANS.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-57733552640662782682017-09-13T14:46:00.002-04:002017-09-13T14:46:41.011-04:00Annual Ex-POW/MIA Vigil<div id="yiv5193643307yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1505326996922_3473" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 6px;"><b>Annual Ex-POW/MIA Vigil in New Hampshire</b></div><div id="yiv5193643307yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1505326996922_3474" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">When: Saturday, September 16, 2017<br clear="none" id="yiv5193643307yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1505326996922_3475" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" />Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am&nbsp;<br clear="none" id="yiv5193643307yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1505326996922_3476" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" />Where: New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH</div><div id="yiv5193643307yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1505326996922_3477" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><div id="yiv5193643307yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1505326996922_3478" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;">The annual ceremony, hosted by Dept of NH Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), will be held in the Chapel.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv5193643307yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1505326996922_3479" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">* The United States’ National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of September each year. Many Americans take the time to remember those who were prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA), as well as their families.</div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv5193643307yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1505326996922_3479" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVyVYl0by7Y/Wbl88JQ2J-I/AAAAAAAABP0/cOu8ki44JzU98SNl1XiVq2ewp3X27Ma2wCLcBGAs/s1600/new_hampshire_proclamation-page-2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="972" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVyVYl0by7Y/Wbl88JQ2J-I/AAAAAAAABP0/cOu8ki44JzU98SNl1XiVq2ewp3X27Ma2wCLcBGAs/s640/new_hampshire_proclamation-page-2017.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv5193643307yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1505326996922_3479" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv5193643307yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1505326996922_3479" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv5193643307yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1505326996922_3479" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv5193643307yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1505326996922_3479" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><h3 style="background-color: white; color: rgb(40, 44, 93) !important; font-family: Cabin !important; font-size: 30px !important; font-weight: 400 !important; margin: 0px auto 0.3em; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase !important;">RECOGNITION DAY</h3><h1 style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><div class="paragraph" style="color: rgb(81, 81, 81) !important; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 1em; padding: 0px;"><strong>2017 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Friday, September 15th</strong><br /><br />National POW/MIA Recognition Day will be observed on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. This annual event honors our missing service members and their families, and highlights the government’s commitment to account for them. &nbsp;Across the country, local POW/MIA ceremonies are encouraged throughout POW/MIA Recognition Week, culminating with countless events and the national ceremony in Washington, DC, on Recognition Day.&nbsp; Support for these missing Americans and their families is deeply felt.&nbsp; America’s POW/MIAs should be honored and recognized, rather than memorialized, with the focus on continuing commitment to account as fully as possible for those still missing.&nbsp; Strong, united support by the American people is crucial to achieving concrete answers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e0FLrfdvnw8/Wbl8U9Vx7nI/AAAAAAAABPs/OFztOl-7W8w2SBiUmWHXXJBSDHeFXpPJQCLcBGAs/s1600/pow-mia-poster-2017_orig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e0FLrfdvnw8/Wbl8U9Vx7nI/AAAAAAAABPs/OFztOl-7W8w2SBiUmWHXXJBSDHeFXpPJQCLcBGAs/s320/pow-mia-poster-2017_orig.png" width="247" /></a></div><div class="paragraph" style="color: rgb(81, 81, 81) !important; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 1em; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="paragraph" style="color: rgb(81, 81, 81) !important; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 1em; padding: 0px;"><br /></div></h1></div></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-82139286916695309802016-09-29T10:00:00.000-04:002016-09-29T10:03:01.072-04:00Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act – 2016<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">Sharing from Bob Jones....</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">From: Coalition of Families of Korean and Cold War POW/MIAs [mailto:coalitionoffamilies@gmail.com]<br />Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 2:38 PM<br />Subject: Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act - 2016</div><div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">Hello Everyone,</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">On Thursday, September 29th, Senator Kelly Ayotte will introduce the Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act of 2016. This is long awaited legislation to declassify documents relating to missing armed forces personnel from all conflicts. The Senator will be issuing a press release and would like to include brief statements of support from organizations involved in the accounting mission.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Attached is a highlights page from the bill, as well as the proposed legislation itself. Please join us in support by sending comments to the Senator’s national security legislative aide, Ryan Clark: ryan_clark@ayotte.senate.gov. (Include the subject line: Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act – 2016.)</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">There is too much information on missing men from all conflicts still waiting in classified documents, including intelligence reports and prisoner-of-war debriefs. Their classification status is maintained not because of critical information relating to the nation’s security but because there has never been a strong enough call to release them. This legislation will do that.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">We hope that your organization will be part of this national effort to bring new information to the fate of missing men from all conflicts and answers to their families.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Thank you.</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Rick<br />Richard Downes, President<br />(Lt. Hal Downes, MIA)</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">Coalition of Families of Korean &amp; Cold War POW/MIAs</div><div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.northeastpowmianetwork.org/Bring%20Our%20Heroes%20Home%20Alive%20Act%202016.pdf" target="_blank">Bring Our Heroes Home Alive 2016 Act&nbsp;</a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act 2016 (Highlights)<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A BILL To provide for the creation of the Missing Armed Forces Personnel Records Collection at the National Archives, to require the expeditious public transmission to the Archivist and public disclosure of Missing Armed Forces Personnel records, and for other purposes. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Bring Our Heroes Home Act of 2016’’. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SEC. 2. FINDINGS, DECLARATIONS, AND PURPOSES. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(a) FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.—Congress finds and declares the following: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(1) A vast number of records relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel have not been identified, located, or transferred to the National Archives for review and declassification. Only in the rarest cases is there any legitimate need for continued protection of records pertaining to Missing Armed Forces Personnel who have been missing for decades. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">&nbsp;(2) There has been insufficient priority placed on identifying, locating, transferring, reviewing, or declassifying records relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(3) Mandates for declassification set forth in multiple Executive Orders have been broadly written, loosely interpreted, and often ignored by Federal Government officials in possession and control of records related to Missing Armed Forces Personnel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(4) No individual or entity has been tasked with oversight of the identification, collection, review, and declassification of records related to Missing Armed Forces Personnel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(5) The interest, desire, workforce, and funding of Federal agencies to assemble, review, and declassify records relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel have been lacking. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(6) All records of the Federal Government relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel should be preserved for historical and Governmental purposes. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(7) All records of the Federal Government relating Missing Armed Forces Personnel should carry a presumption of immediate disclosure, and all such records should be disclosed under this Act to enable the fullest possible accounting for Missing Armed Forces Personnel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(8) Legislation is necessary to create an enforceable, independent, and accountable process for the public disclosure of records relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-82872669088383598402016-05-27T09:55:00.002-04:002016-05-27T09:56:30.196-04:00Memorial Day Prayer<div>We stand for them.......The young and the brave......Now that day is done.<br /><br />We stand for them with honor, with pride, with broken hearts and empty arms......<br />Memorial Day.<br /><br />Our heroes have gone on before us - too young to go - but too brave to stay. Our hearts were set on our lives together, an eternity of days, a future of tomorrows...... yet, day is done.<br /><br />We draw together in prayer.<br /><br />May we give thanks to the Almighty that we have such a land of blessing and hope to live in. A land provided and sustained by the brave of our nation. Those who have stepped forth to right wrongs and secure liberties. Those, our heroes, who have gone before us.<br /><br />May we remember and pray for their families ~ seeking their comfort, their healing, their strength. May we beseech God that they may live in peace, the peace brought forth to our nation by the sacrifice of their hero.<br /><br />And may we pray for one another. May we never forget what our heroes have given. May we hold our standards high and bringing their honor forth.<br /><br />Those, too young to go - but too brave to stay......<br /><br />Now day is done.....</div><div>WE STAND FOR THEM!<br /><br />Peace and Prayers,<br /><br />May your Memorial Day be One of Blessing, Safety, and Honor,<br /><br />Rev. Lin McGee<br />Former National Chaplain<br />Star Mothers of America, Inc.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJSkTq59BS4/V0hRy0r2NQI/AAAAAAAABKs/CcuGsG2yD3UiqH8tQvWhrlSZXYKmKUv-ACLcB/s1600/NH_Daily_Life_t400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJSkTq59BS4/V0hRy0r2NQI/AAAAAAAABKs/CcuGsG2yD3UiqH8tQvWhrlSZXYKmKUv-ACLcB/s1600/NH_Daily_Life_t400.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776195702264688385.post-15687862127080754882016-05-20T14:33:00.000-04:002016-05-20T14:33:05.358-04:00NH Freedom Ride Key Note Speaker ~ June 16, 2016Our speaker will be Richard Downes, Executive Director of the Coalition of Families of Korean and Cold War POW/MIAs. The Coalition promotes the fullest possible accounting for American servicemen who remain missing in action. Richard's father is MIA/Korea.<br /><br /><b>Missing-in-Action</b><br />Soldiers sent into battle face dire realities. One of these ends is the possibility that, like disappearing into a Stephen King fog, he or she will simply never be heard from again.<br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QMq20C4K3yY/Vz9YOhwJtFI/AAAAAAAABKU/ejTsC78LC5koq1qqQ_ahxxHYtktXYYfzACLcB/s1600/Richard%2BDowns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QMq20C4K3yY/Vz9YOhwJtFI/AAAAAAAABKU/ejTsC78LC5koq1qqQ_ahxxHYtktXYYfzACLcB/s1600/Richard%2BDowns.jpg" /></a>This kind of enigmatic loss ripples through generations of the man or woman’s family. There is no ending to their story. There is no grieving to begin healing. There is only uncertainty, longing, and an ever-present hope that he or she will return one day.<br /><br />​It is a wound that never heals.<br /><br />No matter how much one tries to accept this kind of loss, a place in the heart simply needs to know what happened to someone that important in our lives. It is an essence of who we are as human beings. In a tragic way, all the missing soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines remain alive, simply because it’s not known how, or even if, they died.<br /><br />​No matter how much one tries to accept this kind of loss, a place in the heart simply needs to know what happened to someone that important in our lives. It is an essence of who we are as human beings. In a tragic way, all the missing soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines remain alive, simply because it’s not known how, or even if, they died.This leaves generations of family members, who when asked what happened to such an important person in their life, can only answer, “We don’t know”. More than 8000 families from the Korean and Cold Wars live this life. They are still searching for answers. And they face a clock that keeps ticking. Too many have already passed without finding closure.<br />​<br />As a nation, we promised that their loved ones would never be left behind. They were. The same promise is made to the families of today’s soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines. If this promise is to hold credibility for present day servicemen and women, it must be honored to the finish for those who have gone before. There is much to do. Much that can still be done.<br />Thank you for joining with us.<br />​<br />Rick Downes, President<br />(Lt. Hal Downes, father, MIA North Korea 1/13/1952)<br /><br />Coalition of Families of Korean &amp; Cold War POW/MIAs <a href="mailto:coalitionoffamilies@gmail.com">coalitionoffamilies@gmail.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.coalitionoffamilies.org/">http://www.coalitionoffamilies.org</a>nhbluestarmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11407588245806530626noreply@blogger.com0